Why Man Utd Getting Samir Nasri For £8m Would be the Steal of the Summer

The transfer season is always known for its twists and turns. Rumors fall in and out and as a result, trying to follow it all can be just plain maddening. Manchester United is no exception and yesterday they offered potentially the biggest twist of the summer.

Samir Nasri, the French midfielder who – after years of waiting to meet his potential – had the breakout season he was headed for in 2010-11. His play in Arsenal’s constantly fluid midfield was breathtaking as he showed great vision, creativity, speed and overall ability. In what was a decidedly off-year for Cesc Fabregas, Nasri took over as the key player to Arsenal’s persistent attack. He was constantly referred to as a nominee for Premier League player of the season as Arsenal, for a long-time, were seen as the main title contenders to United.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, Nasri’s four year deal comes to a close after next season and they are struggling to keep a hold of the young French star. His future with the team had been speculated on for a while but Nasri put it aside to focus on the season. After a miserable year for the London team which saw them go from Premier League contenders to fourth place stragglers, losing to Barcelona after beating them at their own game in the first leg, and shockingly losing to the relegated Birmingham City for the Carling Cup, you would think it couldn’t get worse for the Gunners. It turns out, that’s not the case at all.

Nasri, after avoiding contract talks, now seems more unwilling to discuss his future with Arsenal. To add to the team’s misery, he’s now thinking about joining their hated rival Manchester United at a value of just £8 million. While speaking to a French newspaper, Nasri was quoted as saying “I don’t know if I will sign a new contract. Anyway, the discussions are ongoing. For the moment, I don’t think about this. We will speak about it after the match with Poland. Do I want to go to Man United? First, we should see if it’s real and if it is concrete.” Whether or not the quote is taken out of context is unknown, but just reading this must give Arsenal fans a poignant shiver.

At the same time that Manchester United are in talks with Samir Nasri to purchase the player for £8 million, Liverpool are in talks with Gael Clichy in a potential £5 million transfer.

While Clichy would be a huge loss for the Gunners, Arsene Wenger’s major dilemma – as if he really needed any more stress – is the diminutive midfielder. Nasri would be entering the last season of his deal and if the team fails to come to an agreement, he could even leave as a free transfer. Right now, if Arsenal tries to sell him, they can turn in some profit by having teams buy out the rest of his deal. And that is around £8 million. Eight million pounds! Just the idea that a player as skilled and talented as Nasri would go for such a low price is mind-boggling.

Nasri is busy right now playing for his country as they try and bounce back from their horrible form of late. One of his countrymen is United star Patrice Evra, who has been cited by many sources as having an influential effect on Nasri’s thought-process. Nasri, in regards of the prospects of there being a United deal, stated that he wants to see if it’s realistic enough to be taken seriously. Who knows what Nasri is trying to do? For all we know, this could be Nasri’s way of getting Arsenal to feel desperate and go all out to retain his services. It could also mean Evra has perhaps convinced his younger cohort that playing at United would be the greatest thing that could ever happen for him. And who’s to say that Patrice is wrong.

Nasri is only twenty-four and he may already be tired of losing as painfully as only Arsenal seems to know how. His form in the second half of the season dipped which was probably due to the disappointment of being on a team that has the potential but lacks the resolve to win. Nasri wants to be on a team that has proved that it can win consistently and besides Barcelona, is there a better team out there than United? The answer is frankly no — especially after this year where after everyone was saying how this was one of the worst United squads Ferguson ever had, they silenced their critics by capturing another title proving that they are the best English team right now. Who wouldn’t blame Nasri for wanting to be apart of the action?

Having Nasri would be downright unfair for United’s rivals. He can be a perfect replacement for Paul Scholes in terms of pace, creativity, and play-making ability. His preferred position is in the central midfield, which would be excellent for United. He could fit well with United as his technical ability and speed is unquestionable. Nasri could continue to get better under the tutelage of Paul Scholes himself who is now apart of Ferguson’s staff of coaches. Having Nasri could be an answer to United’s struggles in midfield in terms of controlling the game and adding explosive creativity that would make it harder for opponents to prepare for.

Those against Nasri would say he could never fit in with United and their fans because of his days at Arsenal, which would make him hated. That kind of ignorant thinking only stifles the potential of any team because in the world of transfer market, players are always moving around regardless of rivalries or what others think. Footballers look for the best situations in terms of either being able to make the most money or being able to win as much as possible. Once Nasri would start playing well for United, most negative feelings of the past would fade away from everyone excluding the most bitter.

And for Arsenal, while the thought of selling Nasri to United would be difficult, it feels like it may need to be done. Unless Arsenal throws the bank at Nasri, he’s probably going out after next year. The idea of having a guy around for another year to just avoid the seemingly inevitable sounds eerily familiar to Arsenal considering the Fabregas saga. Judging by the Spaniard’s play this year, it seems obvious that he wants to leave and Arsenal is holding onto him against his will. As a result, Fabregas had a season where he regressed as he lacked the old leadership and drive he had in past years. This could easily happen with Nasri as well as he would likely feel he’s stuck on a team he doesn’t want to play for and then leave for nothing to gain for Arsenal next summer. Rather than waste his and Arsenal’s time, Wenger should seriously consider dealing him now for any profit at all because holding onto a guy who may want to leave is delaying the inevitable.

In terms of United, getting Nasri for his price would frankly be a steal. It would free up United’s summer budget enough so that they can focus on getting other top talents like Wesley Sneijder or stock up with a number of important but more affordable targets, which would only add to the incredible depth of the team. Samir Nasri, in my mind, would be a wonderful addition for the Red Devils.

About Michael Schwartz

Michael wrote for World Soccer Talk in 2011 and 2012 with pieces that tackled a variety of topics related to the English Premier League and International competitions. He’s now back to continue writing about the Beautiful Game. You can follow Michael on Twitter @MichaelSchwart2
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47 Responses to Why Man Utd Getting Samir Nasri For £8m Would be the Steal of the Summer

He’s worth £8 million because his contract is only for the next year. A team won’t know when bidding if Nasri will sign a long term deal and so can’t offer more as they would risk losing him for nothing in 1 year.

I’m not sure what the protocol is for this but maybe if Nasri can assure a team that he’ll sign a long term deal, maybe they can offer more? I don’t think they can officially set terms of a deal though before Arsenal accepts a bid.

You’re essentially right that he’s valued low because his contract with Arsenal runs out in a year, at which point he will be able to leave on a free transfer.

So no potential suitor is going to pay Arsenal big money for a transfer fee when they know that alternatively they can just wait one more year and get him for free. Conversely, Arsenal might be tempted to let him leave now for 8m because it’s preferable to losing him for nothing next summer.

I’m not sure what you mean by assuring a team that he will sign a long-term contract. No one other than Arsenal “risks losing him in one year.”

I thought maybe that any team that bought his contract would have him for one year unless they re-negotiated a longer term deal. But I remember now that a new contract is negotiated after every transfer.

If that’s the case then, I can see how Arsenal might get more than £8 million if multiple teams want Nasri. Say ManU offer £8M, couldn’t Chelsea offer £9M and get exclusive rights to negotiate with Nasri?

@Mekias – they buying team aren’t really “buying” his current contract (which runs out in 1 year). I’m not sure if this is a 100% accurate description, but they’re essentially paying Arsenal to terminate the contract between Arsenal and Nasri.

The fact that Nasri’s contract with Arsenal expires in 1 year means that Arsenal may be willing to accept a lower-than-normal price, because otherwise there’s a risk they will lose him for nothing in 1 year.

Whatever contract he signs with Man Utd will be an entirely new contract, which will have no correlation with the contract he had with Arsenal.

Essentially, the way transfers are supposed to work is a process of two seperate negotiations:

(1) First, the buying club has to offer the current club enough money to persuade them to terminate their current contract with the player; and
(2) If the buying club and current club can agree on a price in step 1, then the buying club can begin to negotiate a contract with the player.

If both negotiations reach an agreement, then the player is sold to the buying club. If not, then he stays at his current club.

Unlike NFL and NBA and other US Sports, once a player is transferred, the player will sign a new contract.

Regarding exclusive right to discuss contract: it’s not necessary to pay for exclusive right to discuss contract. What a club needs to do is contact Wenger or Nasri’s agent to gauge interest (whichever comes first). If Wenger says that he’s willing to sell, then it’s on to the agent to discuss possible compensation. If Nasri’s agent says that Nasri won’t extend contract with Arsenal, then the club can tell Wenger: either you sell him now or we’ll get him later for free.

Arsenal can accept Chelsea’s offer for 10 or 16 million while United’s offer might be only 5-6 million. But if Nasri says he wont’ go to Chelsea, there’s nothing Wenger could do other than (a) accepting United’s offer or (b) playing the waiting game or (c) risking to lose Nasri for free next season

Yeah, I still get confused sometimes regarding how contracts work in soccer.

At this point it sounds like Nasri wants to leave Arsenal but hasn’t really stated a preference for another team. He’ll obviously want a club that’s shown a willingness to spend heavily to win the Premier League or the Champions League. There’s a few teams that fit that criteria so I guess there might be a bit of a bidding war. It depends on how much the other clubs value Nasri.

Actually, scratch my comment. We don’t even know if Nasri wants to leave Arsenal. He may just be trying to use this as leverage to pressure them into giving him a huge contract. If so, Arsenal needs to step up to the plate and pay the guy.

that is agood thing for manchester united getting nasri young an much more but that will be sik absolutely great lieksniejer and neymar and sanchez to sik that is what you get to win the BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE 2012!!

This will happen. Arsenal is not our rival anymore. We are on quite friendly terms. Even Owen who played for hated Liverpool fits in nicely. Barcelona have proved that a strong mid-field is the trump card.

Arsene is nuts. He’s about to lose Cesc and now that’s he’s playing cheap with Nasri’s contract extension, he risks losing him to a bitter rival? Nuts, if you ask me. Yes, Nasri would be a great fit for Man Utd., a super midfielder with pace and creativity and could score – something Utd. lacks. Arsene, just throw the bank at Samir and chip in Cesc’s captain’s badge as well.

That said, Arsenal has a glut of midfielders especially Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey. No wonder Arsene sleeps late.

If United sign him by paying anything less than 15 million pounds it will be a steal. Today’s papers are saying that United will pay between 10 and 20 million. Last season Ozil went to Real Madrid for 12.5 million pounds and it proved to be the best buy of the season in any league. Nasri knows the EPL so he will not need any time to get used to the league. Since Sneidjer does not want to leave Inter fergie will go all out to buy Nasri. How much United are willing to pay will depend on how much they will be able to sell Nani for. I don’t see Nani having any future if both Young and Nasri arrive. Number 20 is all but wrapped up.

I disagree about Nani. He was a league leader in assists, scored 9 goals, and carried the team when Valencia was out. That injury form Carragher was very unfortunate and he didn’t have enough time to come back before the season closed. I agree that Nani will have more competition in terms of starting but Nasri would be in the central midfield, and Young is the next Giggs/Park. I feel Nani can only get better and the media has no idea what they are talking about when they say he isn’t consistent after this year. All these guys together could make United truly special for years to come.

this is football and at anytime anything acn happen..
Liverpools Andy Carrol last year was valued at 1million but this year went to Liverpool for £35 ..
in other words the price will increase because Nasri is ach a great young tallent and can seriously fit in anywere and with Wesly Sneijder wanting to stay at Inter Nasri may be on his way out but with Carrick holdin his position wher will he play ?:( .. And Barcelona have only 45million euros to spend this summer so Cesc is stayin put and if he stays and ANY other big name comes e.g Benzema or Bojan then Nasri will stay hopefully ..
CMON WENGER SPEND THAT CASH!

Clichy for £5mil is bullsh*t , noway will they let him go for that , he is more 8-10mil most and as for Nasri 8 mil to the scum of man u … no chance ,i think Arsene would be prepared to let him rot in the reserves then let him go to the scum for 8 mil , i still believe he will be there next season ,thats coming from a strong source ..whisper whisper …

Wenger has an economics degree and has always done things differently when it has come to money for players. He will not offer Nasri a new deal with a weekly pay that goes above what he believes the club can afford. Nasri is asking for wages that Webger is not prepared to give because it would mean he would have to increase the wages of other players as well.

Since Wenger won’t spend the cash on wages the only alternative he has is to sell Nasri now or run the risk of the player leaving on a free at the end of the season. This summer could be a defining moment for Arsenal. I wouldn’t be surprised to see both Fabregas and Nasri sold now.

this is total nonsense. wenger will NEVER sell him to ManU. better to sell him for 5 to an italian club. this is NOT happening. it is all a negotiating ploy from nasri’s agent. that said, i agree, he would be a steal at $6m and would fit in wonderfully at ManU.

In this crazy world, you’ll never know what happens. If indeed he really wants to leave Arsenal, Wenger would be crazy to lose him for free next year. So, why won’t he try to squeeze as much as he can from United ?

Right now Nasri holds all the aces and it doesn’t really matter what Arsenal really want. Arsenal have until the end of the transfer window on August 31 to try and get him to sign a new contract, if he hasn’t resigned by then they cant sell him again until the next transfer window opens up again on Jan 1st.

The problem is that on Jan 1st Nasri can sign a pre contract with any other team if he chooses and Arsenal will get nothing. The closer we get to August 31st the less hes going to be worth to them

Also it doesn’t matter if another team offers 50m for him because Nasri has the power to block any trade/transfer to another team. If he says he wont sign for anyone other than utd there is nothing Arsenal can do, other than let his contract run down the final year and risk getting nothing for him.

sorry guys, but we’re all being taken for a ride here. let’s just sit back and think about this. there’s no way that wenger would let him go to one of his fiercest rivals at all, let alone for 8M. if he does leave, it’ll have to be abroad, but he won’t. he’s simply looking to get paid more plain and simple, that’s all. remember the rooney and ongoing tevez scenario…

Most likely you are right in that he wants a bigger payday but it must have crossed his mind that going to United would get him that bigger wage AND he increases his chances of actually winning something. Im sure hes seen Ashely Young’s reported wage of 130 a week. He’s currently using the same crap excuse Rooney used on us about wanting Arsenal to strengthen with top players before he commits to a new deal, again he doesn’t have that worry with United.

We r not eating nor sleeping bc of this nasr,if he want to join man u let him, greater players henry,viera,gilbato,pires,lugenbag,left, let it b nasr for all the 4 seasons in arsenal has failled to bring any trophy….if he is the best he could worth much,

There are competing forces. Not only do you have player, Arsenal, and Manchester United, but you also have other clubs who can bid against United. If Arsenal gets a bid for £15 Million from another club, the only way United can get him for £8 Million is if the player outright says he won’t go to the other club. Still, Arsenal has the right to refuse United’s £8 Million.

I don’t think United would be a great fit for Nasri, in that he’d have to compete with Nani, Antonio Valencia, and now maybe even Ashley Young for playing time.

You people are idiots if you this is actually going to happen. This is purely a negotiating ploy by Nasri, albeit a classless one, but a negotiating ploy nonetheless.
Just like it was just a negotiating ploy with the the whole John Terry to Man City business two years ago and the Rooney situation earlier this season.

+1, typical transfer speculation and gossip. but honestly, w/no real matches taking place, this is the only kind of thing that the media has to write about. this is almost a verbatim rooney situation, except that it’s taking place in the summer instead of the winter mid-season. rooney however, was under a lot of criticism both for his on/off the pitch troubles, whereas nasri has no such real issues that we’re aware of.

Most English newspapers are reporting that Manchester United have opened talks with Nasri. Should Nasri agree terms with united then it will be very difficult for Arsenal not to sell him. The fact that Nasri is talking to United does not bode well for Arsenal.

Clichy also has a year left on his contract and he too wants more money which is why Liverpool are on the verge of making an offer for him. Losing Clichy won’t hurt as much as losing Nasri. Clichy is not a very good defender and Arsenal can afford to let him go. Not so Nasri.

Nasri will become a United player very soon. Arsenal won’t be able to match what United will be willing to pay him in wages. Fergie will want to tie up all transfers early because if teams leave targets too late they end up pnic-buying and spending a lot more. In Fergie we trust!

This article is ridiculous speculation. EPL talk go back to not paying as much attention to transfer nonsense until it becomes more concrete! Maybe a nice article on Nasri’s season of two halves and then a mention of a contract situation would be better than trying to get readership through this nonsense!

Arsenal are going to have a very busy summer. While it’s admirable that they have a policy not to pay above a certain amount for wages and transfers, it is also going to mean that they will be losing good players who want more money or better talent around them.

Fabregas is about to go to Barcelona for 30 million plus one or two Barcelona youngsters. Fabregas leaving is imminent. I cannot see him staying.

Nasri wants a contract with more weekly wages. Arsenal are not about to match his demands and with only one year left on his contract Arsenal don’t want to lose a player without getting anything in return. Flamini was lost on a Bosman when his contract ended. Aresenal have a decision to make. Do they give Nasri what he wants or sell him to the highest bidder? However, Nasri has the most clout in this in that he can veto any deal between Arsenal and potential suitors. This is going to be avery tough one for Arsenal.

Gael Clichy is in the same boat as Nasri, one year left on his contract and Arsenal have not offered him a new deal. Chances are Arsenal won’t and he will leave for between 5-10 million pounds. Liverpool the most likely destination either for cash or a player exchange.

Robin van Persie has two years left on his contract and he is urging Arsenal to go out and buy quality veteran players. Unless Arsenal do so he may ask to leave.

Arsenal have lots of decisions to make and will need to come up with a strategy for the short term and one for the long term. This could be a defining summer for Arsenal. If Arsenal make too many changes it will take the team more time to settle and given the continuity at clubs like Manchetser City and Liverpool it might mean that Arsenal will be vulnerable in dropping out of the top 4.